The FDP’s state chairman in North Rhine‑Westphalia, Henning Höhne, who is also running for the national party chair, says he currently sees no role for Christian Lindner within the Liberals. When asked whether he would rally delegates towards a return of Lindner at the upcoming party conference, Höhne told RTL and ntv, “No. In the end, this conference must decide on a restart. From my firm conviction, that also requires new faces”.
Lindner himself has ruled out a comeback. “He now has a new role and is happy there, and I wholeheartedly grant him that” Höhne added. He sees little overlap between the former party powerhouse and himself. “I observed the period from 2013 to 2017 in the state parliament up close and worked closely with Christian Lindner and the whole team. Despite some parallels, we are completely different types” the state chairman said. Nevertheless, he maintains contact with Lindner and many other party friends, stressing that “a liberal voice is needed”.
Höhne became even clearer when he drew a firm line to the AfD: “No cooperation with the AfD is possible. That party wants to profit from problems rather than solve them”. He argues that the AfD is closer to Russia and Putin than to German security interests. “The party knowingly tolerates radicals within its own ranks. The AfD is the absolute opposite of the individualistic and optimistic FDP”.
